Brubox kits

[Robdog]

Just tested gravity i steralised in powder to make sure. From what i could estimate because there is a decent head on the brew id say its about 1020.

Its only been in the FV for 69 hours so does this sound about. normal? OG was approx 1040.

Its difficult to get an accurate reading because of the foamy head. Top of the foam was an about 1010-1015 so i guessed at 1020 i think its pretty close to that anyway.

Foam head seems to be going down a bit more now but still bubbles on the surface.

[sparky Paul]

Sounds fine.

A lot of the action happens in the first day or two, you'll find that it slows down now. Expect it to drop a point or three a day until it's finished. By then, most of the foamy stuff will have gone and it will be easier to get an accurate reading.

Does it smell good?

[Robdog]

Sounds fine.

A lot of the action happens in the first day or two, you'll find that it slows down now. Expect it to drop a point or three a day until it's finished. By then, most of the foamy stuff will have gone and it will be easier to get an accurate reading.

Does it smell good?

It does actually. Yesterday when there was more foam you could almost smell the alcohol producing if that makes sense.

I did a dirty thing today and actually tasted what was stuck to the hydrometer and it tasted good

I was beggining to panic as its starting to die down now even more but it just sounds like you say that its slowing down.

Was i ok in fully taking the lid off to use the hydrometer as i was worried i would infect it. I have been taking peaks at it but just lifting the lid slightly.

I was considering buying a testing tube so i didnt have to take the lid off but im not sure if this is just overkill.

[sparky Paul]

Was i ok in fully taking the lid off to use the hydrometer as i was worried i would infect it. I have been taking peaks at it but just lifting the lid slightly.

I was considering buying a testing tube so i didnt have to take the lid off but im not sure if this is just overkill.

So long as no foreign bodies fall in, it's be fine. The vulnerable time is right at the beginning, before the yeast gets to work - it's pretty robust after that.

I just sanitise the hydrometer at the beginning, chuck it in and leave it... then, you can check it every hour if you like! I can't be bothered messing about sanitising everytime I want to check the gravity. I just take the hydrometer out once when the fermentation is coming to the end to rinse the crud off the top, so you can get an accurate reading.

Anything for an easy life...

[Robdog]

I cant wait. Ill get myself a top tap keg tomorrow from the homebrew stall and a bottle of gas and ill order a Woodfords Amdiral Reserve kit as its got rave reviews from what ive seen.

Im gonna bottle this stout then as soon as thats done the Reserve will get started. 40 pints wont last me long so im gonna brew as much as i can. I drink Guinness when down the pub but im a big fan of real ale also. Maybe try something stronger after the first 2 kits Will be a treat for Christmas. Maybe a Headcracker Barley Wine.

Is it worth primimng with Spraymalt or shall i just use sugar? Ive got some dark muscavado sugar left over from my chocoalte brownies i made saturday haha was wondering if that wil be any good as its very dark and gives off a nice sort of toffee flavour.

[sparky Paul]

Im gonna bottle this stout then as soon as thats done the Reserve will get started. 40 pints wont last me long so im gonna brew as much as i can.

Is it worth priming with Spraymalt or shall i just use sugar? Ive got some dark muscavado sugar left over from my chocoalte brownies i made saturday haha was wondering if that wil be any good as its very dark and gives off a nice sort of toffee flavour.

Any sugar will do, you don't need to use spraymalt. You have to take care with really strongly flavoured sugars like treacle, but muscovado should work very well.

[Robdog]

Well its day 4 now and there are still some big bubbles on top of the brew so im not gonna bother checking gravity today as i pressume its still fermenting nicely. The bubbles are really big and cover the whole brew.

[Robdog]

You know when i transfer the brew to a bottling bucket i know i have to add the priming sugar to the bottling bucket first but do i then have to stir the brew or wil it just mix as i add it form the FV?

[Robdog]

Less bubbles today. Just tested gravity and its on 1020. This is a more accurate reading as there is less foam. I hope it isnt stuck. Doe 1020 after 5 days seem ok?

[sparky Paul]

Less bubbles today. Just tested gravity and its on 1020. This is a more accurate reading as there is less foam. I hope it isnt stuck. Doe 1020 after 5 days seem ok?

Not untoward, especially as you were lowish on the room temperature... should only be creeping down slowly now. I've not done the Black Pearl, but you should ideally aiming for 1016 or lower at the finish.

See how it goes over the next couple of days, you should see some movement. Make sure the room temperature doesn't drop below 18°C, particularly overnight.

If you're using a bottling bucket, I would put the sugar into a little water and microwave to dissolve the sugar. Put that into the bucket first, then putting the beer on top will mix it all up nicely. If you want to go mad, stir gently with a sanitised spoon, but it shouldn't really be necessary.

[Robdog]

Cheers Paul. It says on the kit instructions that the FG should be 1009 so still some way to go.

Ill test grav again tomorrow.

Room temp has been in the day approx 19-20. Ill leave the heating on tonight to make sure it does go to low.

I do keep checking it every couple of hours though just to make sure bubbles are still on top of the brew. I only lift the lid a touch would this effect it?

[sparky Paul]

I do keep checking it every couple of hours though just to make sure bubbles are still on top of the brew. I only lift the lid a touch would this effect it?

You'll not do any harm, but it's best to not go poking about too much unnecessarily.

If you think it's getting too cool at night, wrap a blanket around it, and/or think about some sort of heater for future brews. I find I have to use them at night when it's getting chilly...

[Robdog]

Ok will do.

I gave the sediment a little move earlier with a sterlaised paddle see if i could get it come down a bit. Im just ocncerned that after 5 days its still 11 points to high.

I think though i have maybe a pint or two more water as the guide on the side of my barrel says its over 22.5 ltrs so would this effect gravity, i would imagine so.

I hope i can get it down some more because if i cant its only gonna be about 2% alcohol haha.

[sparky Paul]

Despite what the instructions say, you'll be very lucky to get any 100% malt beer to ferment down to 1010 or below. 1012-1014 is more likely, in my experience, and I'm reasonably happy if it gets below 1016.

[Robdog]

Ah thanks again. I do really appreciate all your advice mate.

I like a stronger drink so if its hard to get the alcohol as high as the kits state il have to go for a stronger tipple after this admirals reserve. Maybe the Santas Winter Warmer at 5.8 , Should get at least 5% from that.